SHGM Pilot English Language Proficiency Exam

The AEC-EPAP exam, administered by the Aviation English Center (AEC), is characterized by the following:

1. It is an examination approved by the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation).
2. The examination center utilized by AEC complies with the conditions specified in the SHT-1DY Instruction.
3. The Examination System has been prepared within the framework of ICAO Circular 318 and Doc 9835 principles.
4. All questions are related to aviation topics.
5. The system is designed to evaluate language proficiency topics specified in Article 7 of the SHT-1DY Instruction, in accordance with the proficiency levels specified in Article 8 of the same instruction.
6. It includes both listening and speaking questions.
7. Exams are generated by random selection from the question bank.
8. The exam is conducted as a face-to-face interview.
9. Evaluations are performed by at least two different Assessors.

AEC-EPAP EXAMINATION SYSTEM AND SAMPLE EXAM

• AEC – EPAP was developed by Aviation English Specialist Academicians and experienced Level-6 pilots working within AEC.
• AEC – EPAP is conducted at the examination center approved by the DGCA.
• AEC – EPAP is structured according to SHT-1DY Instructions and Handbook principles to determine the Language Proficiency levels of candidates, independent of any human and/or physical conditions and locations.
• At the beginning of the exam, the Interlocutor opens the exam group randomly determined by the system.
• AEC – EPAP consists of three sections: PART A, PART B, and PART C.

PART A:
This is the first part of the exam where general questions regarding aviation experience and training are directed to the candidate by the Interlocutor. Candidates are expected to provide informative and prompt responses to questions based on their personal background and familiar topics.

PART B:
All questions in this section are listening-based. Candidates listen twice via computer to audio recordings of routine or non-routine operational aviation scenarios (such as tower communications) and must answer questions within the allotted time. It is mandatory to listen to the audios in Part B twice. Listening twice does not have a negative impact on your exam result.

PART C:
This section begins with the Interlocutor introducing the structure. Candidates are shown aviation-themed photographs appropriate to their sector. The candidate first describes what they see in the photograph. Subsequently, the candidate answers questions asked by the Interlocutor. The Interlocutor directs at least two questions that require the candidate to provide longer explanations and narratives.

EXAMINATION EVALUATION

1. Each candidate’s exam is evaluated by two assessors: an English language specialist and a pilot or air traffic controller with operational experience.
2. The candidate’s final score is determined by the lowest score among the scores for the subject areas on the ICAO Language Proficiency Assessment Scale.
3. Each candidate’s exam is evaluated independently by the evaluators. The evaluators may not have any knowledge of the candidate’s identity.
4. The evaluators grade the exams in accordance with the exam date.
5. Candidates who participated in the Language Proficiency Exam conducted in accordance with the SHT-1DY Directive and failed by scoring below Level 4;

• Seviye 1 notu alanlar, sınav tarihinden itibaren 45 gün içinde;
• Seviye 2 notu alanlar, sınav tarihinden itibaren 30 gün içinde;
• Seviye 3 notu alanlar, sınav tarihinden itibaren 15 gün içinde; tekrar sınava alınmazlar.

NOTIFICATION OF EXAM RESULTS

Exam results are communicated to candidates via email within 15 (fifteen) days of the exam.

Exam results are also documented in writing by the AEC in the form of a “Certificate” indicating the exam date, and are mailed or delivered in person to the candidate within 15 (fifteen) days of the exam date.

EXAM APPEAL

1. Candidates who have been notified of their English Language Proficiency level may appeal their exam results within 15 (fifteen) days of the date the results were sent via email.
2. Appeals must be submitted in writing directly to AEC.
3. Exam appeals must be submitted by completing the “English Language Proficiency Exam Appeal Form.” (Click here)
4. The exam appeal service fee is 3,000 TL.
5. The exam appeal service fee must be deposited into the bank account specified on the Exam Appeal Form.
6. The candidate is considered to have completed the appeal application and it is recorded once the candidate sends the bank receipt confirming payment of the appeal evaluation fee and the fully completed English Language Proficiency Exam Appeal Form, available on the AEC’s website, to the AEC via email or fax.
7. The appeal evaluation is conducted by an Evaluator different from the original Evaluators.
8. The exam result is sent in writing to SHGM and via email to the candidate.
9. If the exam result changes, the appeal fee is refunded to the candidate, and a new certificate is issued and sent to the candidate.
10. The decision resulting from the appeal review is final and cannot be appealed again.

RULES TO BE FOLLOWED DURING THE EXAM

1. Candidates take the exam at the location assigned to them.
2. The exam begins at the scheduled time. Once the exam has started, it cannot be paused, interrupted, or resumed, except in the case of unavoidable technical malfunctions with the system.
3. Candidates must arrive at the address provided by the test center at least 30 minutes before their exam appointment and complete the necessary pre-exam registration. Otherwise, they will forfeit their appointment and exam eligibility.
4. During the exam, candidates use the exam computer, audio and recording system, pen, and paper provided by the AEC, and return them in full at the end of the exam.
5. Except as permitted in Article 4, candidates are prohibited from keeping electronic or printed documents, notebooks, books, dictionaries, notes, blank paper, cell phones, or any recording or communication devices, etc., in their possession or nearby; bringing such items into the examination room; entering the examination room while carrying such items; removing or attempting to remove notes related to the questions during the examination; or attempting to tamper with any materials used for the examination.
6. If there is any doubt regarding the candidate’s identity, the candidate must be asked to write a few sentences in their own handwriting at the end of the exam to confirm their identity, and the candidate must be required to sign this statement. Camera recordings and other documents related to the exam are attached to the “Cheating Report” and sent to the SHGM.
7. If it is determined that a candidate has taken the exam in place of another person, the candidate will be prevented from starting the exam and asked to leave the exam room. This situation will be documented in a report and reported to the SHGM without delay.

PENAL SANCTIONS

In accordance with the provisions of Directive SHT-1DY issued by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation, the penalties are as follows:

1. If a candidate attempts to cheat or is caught cheating, a “Cheating Report” is prepared by the on-site Service Provider and, if present, SHGM officials; the candidate is removed from the examination site and the exam is deemed invalid. Candidates in this situation may not retake the exam for 12 months from the date of the exam in which the cheating occurred.
2. The “Cheating Report” prepared by the AEC is sent to the SHGM within 5 (five) business days.
3. If the individual subject to the “Cheating Report” holds a license, the license is suspended by SHGM for a period of 12 (twelve) months.
4. Legal action is also taken against those who engage in behavior intended to disrupt the order and conduct of the exams.